Empower disadvantaged girls in Indian slums

At OSCAR Foundation, we believe every girl deserves the chance to dream, learn and lead. Through our Buland Project, we are empowering adolescent girls in underserved communities of India with education, football training and life skills. Buland meaning “fearless voice”, helps girls grow in confidence, challenge gender stereotypes and shape their own futures.

In recent months, girls participated in sessions on Social-Emotional Learning to build empathy and manage emotions and sexuality education workshops that encouraged safe, healthy conversations around respect and relationships. Forty girls also completed self-defence training, equipping them with practical skills and the confidence to protect themselves.

One shining example is Kritika, a 15 year old from the slums of Mumbai. Despite limited resources, she excelled academically, scoring 80.8% in her 10th-grade exams. When she joined Buland, she was shy and hesitant to speak. With encouragement from mentors, she grew into a confident leader, organizing activities and events. Her school principal was so impressed by her leadership that he offered her an internship in event management, bringing her closer to her dream career. Today, Kritika not only excels academically but also inspires other girls in her community to believe in themselves.

Kritika’s journey reflects what is possible when girls are given opportunities and guidance. With your support, Buland continues to transform shy teenagers into confident leaders, ready to raise their voices, challenge inequality and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.